June 30, 2014 12.04 pm This story is over 116 months old

Fraud and cyber crime profiles welcomed in Lincolnshire

Cyber crime: Lincolnshire police are welcoming individual annual fraud and cyber profiles that shine a light on some of the major crime threats in their local areas for the first time.

Lincolnshire Police are welcoming individual annual fraud and cyber profiles that shine a light on some of the major crime threats in their local areas for the first time.

As previously reported, the new cyber crime unit set by Lincolnshire Police two months ago has already investigated 17 incidents.

The nationally distributed reports will draw on a full set of Action Fraud data – also a first – and CIFAS and FFA UK reports.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has produced reports that provide an evidence base for law enforcement to develop their own strategies to protect their communities from fraud and cyber crime.

The profiles, commissioned by the office of the Police National Coordinator for Economic Crime, contain national and force data on a number of topics, including volumes of reporting, reported losses, top fraud types, geographical trends, victimology and details on organised crime groups.

Lincolnshire Police says the profiles will enable the force to provide appropriate fraud prevention advice and to target criminals who are causing harm within the community.

The force is also reminding people to be careful and take sensible precautions when passing personal details or banking information to others, particularly when using the internet to purchase items.

Sergeant Ian Jarman of Lincolnshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “The recording of fraud and cyber enabled frauds has increased nationally, with computers being used more and more.

“We will pursue the offenders for crimes passed on by the NFIB to maximise the recovery of criminal assets through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“While many of the crimes reported to the police will be investigated by local officers, they will be supported by specialist staff from the High Tec Crime Unit and the Economic Crime Unit based at Force Headquarters”.

Police National Coordinator for Economic Crime, City of London Police Commander Steve Head, said: “How we combat fraud and cyber crime is a national and international issue of growing significance, but we must never lose sight of the fact that the greatest harm is often felt by individuals and the local communities where they live.

“These profiles have been produced in recognition of this fact and will be updated on a regular basis to ensure they are a continual point of reference for police forces across the UK”.

If you are a victim to this type of crime, you should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.